Police: New information shows injured man started fight at NSB bar

Published: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 11:33 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 10:26 p.m.

New Smyrna Beach police said Friday their investigation into a weekend incident that left a man unconscious and hospitalized with a skull fracture tells a different story than an initial witness account of a gang attack outside the Flagler Tavern, and no charges are anticipated.

Investigation division Sgt. Eugene Griffith said detectives have concluded Frank “Beau” Svancar, 28, initiated an altercation with a single unidentified white man outside the New Smyrna Beach nightclub after closing time in the early morning hours of Feb 24.

Griffith said Svancar was talking “inappropriately” to a woman in the parking lot and she asked him to leave her alone. When the unidentified woman pointed out her boyfriend standing nearby, Griffith said Svancar went over to him and started arguing. That quickly escalated to Svancar punching the boyfriend twice in the face, the sergeant said.

Svancar suffered a skull fracture, broken nose and smashed eye sockets, his family members said. A spokesman at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach did not return phone messages Friday seeking an update on Svancar's condition. He was listed in serious condition Thursday.

Svancar's mother, Cheryl Svancar, said her son is “on the mend.” She said Friday he asked for a cup of coffee from the nurse and was able to take a couple of sips. She said her son has also recognized her and told her he loved her.

“I'm just glad that my son is going to be OK,” she said.

Griffith said investigators still need to talk with officials at the State Attorney's Office, but he does not believe any criminal charges will be filed as a result of the altercation.

“We believe they were mutual combatants,” he said.

Griffith said police also wouldn't release the name of the man who punched Svancar until investigators talked with the State Attorney's Office, likely next week. An initial police incident report indicated when officers responded to a reported disturbance outside the tavern, 414 Flagler Ave., a witness “advised she watched the victim, unknown to her, (later identified as Svancar) get into an altercation with three or four males.”

That witness, Jinger Ownby, 28, Edgewater, stated she was leaving the bar about 2 a.m. when she saw Svancar “get jumped by a group of seven or eight black people.”

“It broke out right in front of us,” she said Monday afternoon.

She added Svancar never swung at anyone during that reported attack, during which she said the “extremely intoxicated” Svancar was hit three separate times by three separate unidentified assailants.

Ownby could not be reached for comment Friday. Voicemail for a phone number listed as belonging to her on the police incident report said the mailbox was full and could not accept messages. Cheryl Svancar said she had no problem with the result of the police investigation and had “absolutely nothing but praise” for New Smyrna Beach Police detectives.

“I think that they have done their homework, and I'm not arguing with it,” she said.

She described her son as an “exceedingly generous” person who is also outspoken. She said her son doesn't go around trying to start fights, and that alcohol likely played a factor in the incident. “Just add alcohol and shake and sometimes things don't come out exactly like they should,” she said.

Any other witnesses to this incident are asked to contact Investigator Nicki Diffin, 386-424-2248.

<p>New Smyrna Beach police said Friday their investigation into a weekend incident that left a man unconscious and hospitalized with a skull fracture tells a different story than an initial witness account of a gang attack outside the Flagler Tavern, and no charges are anticipated. </p><p> Investigation division Sgt. Eugene Griffith said detectives have concluded Frank “Beau” Svancar, 28, initiated an altercation with a single unidentified white man outside the New Smyrna Beach nightclub after closing time in the early morning hours of Feb 24. </p><p> Griffith said Svancar was talking “inappropriately” to a woman in the parking lot and she asked him to leave her alone. When the unidentified woman pointed out her boyfriend standing nearby, Griffith said Svancar went over to him and started arguing. That quickly escalated to Svancar punching the boyfriend twice in the face, the sergeant said. </p><p> “The boyfriend hit (Svancar) once, causing him to fall against a car,” Griffith said. “He then drove away.” </p><p> Svancar suffered a skull fracture, broken nose and smashed eye sockets, his family members said. A spokesman at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach did not return phone messages Friday seeking an update on Svancar's condition. He was listed in serious condition Thursday. </p><p> Svancar's mother, Cheryl Svancar, said her son is “on the mend.” She said Friday he asked for a cup of coffee from the nurse and was able to take a couple of sips. She said her son has also recognized her and told her he loved her. </p><p> “I'm just glad that my son is going to be OK,” she said. </p><p> Griffith said investigators still need to talk with officials at the State Attorney's Office, but he does not believe any criminal charges will be filed as a result of the altercation. </p><p> “We believe they were mutual combatants,” he said. </p><p> Griffith said police also wouldn't release the name of the man who punched Svancar until investigators talked with the State Attorney's Office, likely next week. An initial police incident report indicated when officers responded to a reported disturbance outside the tavern, 414 Flagler Ave., a witness “advised she watched the victim, unknown to her, (later identified as Svancar) get into an altercation with three or four males.” </p><p> That witness, Jinger Ownby, 28, Edgewater, stated she was leaving the bar about 2 a.m. when she saw Svancar “get jumped by a group of seven or eight black people.” </p><p> “It broke out right in front of us,” she said Monday afternoon. </p><p> She added Svancar never swung at anyone during that reported attack, during which she said the “extremely intoxicated” Svancar was hit three separate times by three separate unidentified assailants.</p><p> Ownby could not be reached for comment Friday. Voicemail for a phone number listed as belonging to her on the police incident report said the mailbox was full and could not accept messages. Cheryl Svancar said she had no problem with the result of the police investigation and had “absolutely nothing but praise” for New Smyrna Beach Police detectives. </p><p> “I think that they have done their homework, and I'm not arguing with it,” she said. </p><p> She described her son as an “exceedingly generous” person who is also outspoken. She said her son doesn't go around trying to start fights, and that alcohol likely played a factor in the incident. “Just add alcohol and shake and sometimes things don't come out exactly like they should,” she said. </p><p> Any other witnesses to this incident are asked to contact Investigator Nicki Diffin, 386-424-2248.</p>